Display technology is at the cusp of change as the tides gradually turn in favor of microLEDs. The pursuit of better resolution, energy efficiency, and improved color reproduction has encouraged innovation, research, and development (R&D) activities, as well as strategic alliances between microLED companies. 

As a result, the tide is gradually turning in favor of microLEDs, which are tipped to gradually replace conventional LCD and OLED screens. 

The microLED display market is expected to witness a 3x growth between 2024 and 2027, reaching the $72 billion mark by the end of 2027 from $22.3 billion in 2024. 

This article delves into the recent advancements, innovations, and global partnerships fueling this growth and why the future of microLEDs looks promising. 

Asia Pacific in Pole Position:  Major Players Push for Innovation

From catering to the rising demand for microLED-powered displays in consumer electronics and automotive HUDs to overcoming manufacturing complexities, microLED companies in Asia are going all in to push for its large-scale adoption. 

Here are a few stories and developments worth mentioning:

Samsung Expands MicroLED Offerings

Samsung continues to assert its authority as one of the leading companies in the MicroLED world with fast-paced innovations, new product launches, and recurring R&D. 

The company demonstrated its transparent MicroLED display technology at CES 2024 earlier this year and is set to expand its microLED offerings with the introduction of MS1B and MS1C—regarded among the most advanced display technologies ever. 

The new 89” and 101” microLED displays from the MS1B range and 114” display in the MS1C range are designed to elevate the home theater experience thanks to the microscopic LEDs that radiate more than 8 million points of light. 

This cutting-edge tech is powered by a MICRO AI processor that leverages AI to improve picture resolution and contrast. 

Ennostar Ramps Up MicroLED Development with Streamlined Production Procedures

Ennostar, a subsidiary of the Taiwanese company Lextar Electronics Corporation, has heavily invested in R&D to develop advanced microLED displays, automotive lighting, and smart sensors. 

The company has taken tremendous strides in the development of microLED technology by adopting the Monolithic Array Chip (MAC) process to manufacture red, green, and blue into a single die. 

This development is set to streamline the production of microLEDs, improve different aspects of the supply chain, and accelerate the entire manufacturing process. 

Additionally, Ennostar’s subsidiary Epistar has joined hands with PlayNitride to create a production line for 6-inch microLED epi-wafers. 

Although large-sized displays are the top-end products at present, both companies are optimistic that microLEDs will soon make their way across different types of displays and end products. These include smart watches, wearable devices, and AR smart glasses.

Startups Take Control of MicroLED Development in West

While established names, including Samsung, are leading the way for microLED development, young companies and promising startups are steering the microLED landscape in the West. 

Here are a few developments made by microLED companies in the U.S. and other Western regions. 

eLUX Introduces Large Format MicroLED Displays

The persistent hurdle has compelled companies to design affordable microLED fabrication techniques to increase adoption and enhance display quality without hindering its lifespan. 

eLUX, a US-based startup, produces microLED-based direct emission displays that harness the company’s proprietary technology, which enables the seamless assembly of large-format microLED displays for televisions and video walls. 

VueReal and RiT Display Join Hands to Catalyze Growth of the MicroLED Display Market

VueReal, one of the pioneers of MicroSolid Printing technology, and RiTdisplay Corporation have joined hands to revolutionize the microLED display market. 

The move will allow OEMs and vendors to integrate high-quality, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient, and high-performance microLED displays. 

Additionally, VueReal also unveiled a dazzling array of innovations at Display Week 2024, redefining how microLEDs can be utilized in the automotive, consumer electronics, and AR/VR industries.

The company has also announced expansion plans that will potentially double its manufacturing facility, help it tap into consumer markets, and expand its offerings into IT, AR/VR, and wearable devices. 

Key Partnerships in the MicroLED Market

Several microLED companies have realized the need to partner with other companies and form alliances to compete and establish a solid footing in the microLED market. 

While major players typically have the resources to invest in R&D activities and explore new product lines, upcoming companies have the innovative prowess to cater to niche requirements. 

Here are some of the latest partnerships in the microLED market landscape:

Toray Engineering and Advantest

Toray Engineering and Advantest have come together in a technical partnership to promote and lay the foundations for the efficient production of microLED displays. 

The move will improve the adoption of microLED displays and is likely to propel the growth of the overall microLED market in Japan. 

Finetech and Polar Light Technologies

Polar Light Technologies, one of the leading microLED companies in Europe, will join hands with Finetech, a reputed supplier of high-accuracy die bonding and sub-micron solutions. 

The partnership is expected to boost the production of microLEDs for HMD, HUD, and AR applications. 

Parting Words

The microLED market will continue to see rapid waves of innovation, strategic partnerships, and increasing R&D activities. 

Market players in Asian powerhouses, including Taiwan, China, and South Korea, are likely to march ahead of their Western counterparts thanks to their exceptional manufacturing capabilities and cost-efficient processes. 

That said, upcoming startups and young companies in Europe and North America are leaving no stone unturned to cater to the rising demand for microLEDs across different sectors. 

The market outlook suggests positive growth in the upcoming years as more and more consumers seek energy-efficient and improved display solutions. However, large-scale production of microLEDs could take a while due to manufacturing complexities and insufficient infrastructure to tackle this problem.